The spirit of Phyllis W. Saunders, 82, of Westbrook, Connecticut, passed on at home on March 30, 2024, after a courageous battle with dementia and cancer. Anyone who met Phyllis fell under her infectious smile, her subtle ability to put people at ease, and her genuine kindness. Phyllis was born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 11, 1942, to William H. (USMC) and Ruth G. Weymouth. Phyllis was a 1960 graduate of New London High School and studied ballet at the Froman Professional School of Ballet (New London), and the Virginia Ballet Company where she was a member of the corps de ballet.
She met and married the love of her life and husband of 62 years, Richard (Dick, “Winston”) H. Saunders in 1961. Phyllis and Dick loved the Town of Clinton and raised their family there. In the late ‘70s and early ‘80s she became involved in the Clinton Touchdown Club as the equipment manager of the Clinton Colts for which both of her sons played, seasonally packing the Volvo wagon with helmets, shoulder pads, water jugs and other gear. She spent 25 years working for the Town of Clinton Board of Education Special Services touching the lives of many children. She shared her love and passion of ballet as the Ballet Mistress at the Dancers Studio of Madison until it closed in early 2000s. Her favorite time of year was Christmas with all that it entailed; putting out the Christmas dishes, decorating the tree, sending the cards, shopping, wrapping the presents, exchanging gifts and the joyous time spent with her grandkids and great grandkids when they came to see Meema / Nana for Christmas.
Phyllis and Dick moved to Westbrook in 2000 to a larger house to accommodate a growing brood of grandchildren at visits. Phyllis retired at the end of 2004 from the Special Services Department and spent her retirement spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and visiting friends and family. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Dick, her two sons; Daniel (wife Patricia) and Christopher, five grandchildren; Erika Gonzales (husband Dan), CJ Saunders, Patrick Saunders, Nolan Saunders, and Maeve Saunders, two great-granddaughters; Gabriella and Lucia Gonzales, sisters Gail R. Fenner and Donna L. Crandall, brother Brett W. Weymouth, sister-in-law Carolyn Thompson, and many nieces, nephews, and close friends all who gave her such loving and unwavering support during her long illness. She is predeceased by her parents and infant son Jeffrey W. Saunders.
Calling hours will be 4 - 7 PM Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Swan Funeral Home, 80 East Main St, Clinton, followed the next day by a 11 AM service at the United Methodist Church of Clinton on 12 Commerce Street.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in her name to the Alzheimer's Association, the American Cancer Society or to the Middlesex Health Hospice located at 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT, 06457.
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